Ceramics from seventeenth century Ferryland, Newfoundland (CgAf-2, Locus B)

• Main Author: Pope, Peter Edward
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1986
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/7974/; https://research.library.mun.ca/7974/1/Pope_Peter%20Edward_PDFa.pdf

Ferryland was in use as a shore station by English fishermen by 1600. George Calvert established a settlement in 1621 to exploit the cod fishery and Ferryland remained an important fishing centre to 1700 under David Kirke and his heirs. Documents suggest there was a core of resident families and with secondary sources give some indication of the social and economic life of these planters. Archaeology at Ferryland has been largely oriented to discovering the site of the Mansion House. Recent excavations at Locus B have uncovered an area in use c. 1630-1670. Many ceramic vessels have been recovered. Analysis of this material permits the testing of hypotheses about Locus B and about social and economic conditions on the English Shore. Such an analysis requires explicit identification of the wares and vessel forms occurring. The distribution of wares and vessel forms can be compared with occurrence at other Early Modern sites. Analysis suggests that Locus B was used as a cookroom until c. 1640, that it is near the Mansion House or some other gentry residence and that the inhabitants depended on imported fats, enjoyed good health and were avid consumers of alcohol. An exhaustive catalogue of distinguishable vessels is presented and major finds are illustrated.